EU-Statement № 265/2010 of Europarliament and the Board that makes alterations in the Schengen Executive Convention and the Statement №562/2006 concerning personae movement having long-term visas:

● All the visas of type D that allow to move across the Schengen zone during 3 months in every 6 months period - are the same as the guest visas. This principle concerns foreigners having the visas of type D and D+C issued up to the 5 th of April , 2010.

● For the issued visas of type D, 6 months period begins from the 5 th of April, 2010. If the visas are of D or D+C type , issued up to the 5 th of April 2010, the period of allowed 3 months staying in the country after the 5 th of April, 2010 depends on the number of the used days of staying in the other State-Members up to the 5 th of April 2010.

Visas of type D issued up to the 5 th of April, 2010 having longer period of action should be substituted for the Letters of Permission for staying in the country during a year beginning from the 5 th of April, 2010.

***

FOR VISITORS TRAVELLING TO AZERBAIJAN

Polish citizens travelling to Azerbaijan are obliged to have a visa.

Visas can be obtained in the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Warsaw

If you are a family member of the EU national, please note that on the basis of Directive 2004/38/EC you do not need an entry visa to enter Poland if you meet all 3 following requirements:

1) You are a family member of the EU citizen, which means you are one of the following: 1.the spouse, 2.the direct descendant of the EU citizen who is under the age of 21 or is dependent, and those of the spouse, living in the common household with the EU citizen, 3.the dependent direct relatives of the EU citizen in the ascending line and those of the spouse, or living in the common household with the EU citizen;

2) You are a holder of UK Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National

3) You are travelling together with the EU/EEA citizen to Poland or joining the EU/EEA citizen in Poland (whose family member you are, as defined above).

ATTENTION: Please, make sure you hold the original of the document proving the family ties with the EU/EEA citizen (e.g. marriage /birth certificate) when crossing the border of Poland / Schengen states.

If one of these 3 circumstances is not fulfilled then you need to have a visa when travelling to Poland / Schengen states. Please read the information for FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU CITIZENS WHO NEED TO OBTAIN VISA below.

IF YOU QUALIFY FOR THE VISA EXEMPTION

BUT YOU STILL WISH TO OBTAIN A VISA

You can apply for the visa in a simplified way providing the minimum required documents:

1. completed visa application form

2. 1 biometric photograph;

3. passport/ travelling document and UK Residence Card of a Family Member of an EEA National (both must be valid for at least 3 months after returning from Schengen area, passport must have at least 2 empty pages for visas and must not be older than 10 years)

4. passport of your EU spouse (we will make a copy of this passport and return it at the meeting);

5. original marriage certificate (if marriage certificate is issued not by EU member state competent authorities, it must have legalization or Apostille stamp on it. It must also be translated into Polish or English (if issued in other languages) by certified British or Polish translators);

6. proof of traveling together with family member of the EU citizen (plane or train ticket reservation, if traveling by car – a ferry reservation with the names of the passengers).

VISA IS FREE OF CHARGE.

Additional documents may be requested after the meeting.

FAMILY MEMBERS OF EU CITIZENS WHO NEED TO OBTAIN VISA

If you are a family member of the EU citizen and you do not qualify for the visa exemption mentioned above, you need to apply for a Schengen visa. At the meeting you should provide the following documents:

1. completed visa application form - printed out from our website after registration;

2. 1 biometric photograph;

3. passport/travelling document and UK residence card/entry clearance (both must be valid for at least 3 months after returning from Schengen area, passport must have at least 2 empty pages for visas and must not be older than 10 years)

4. passport of your EU spouse (we will make a copy of this passport and return it at the meeting);

5. original marriage certificate (if marriage certificate is issued not by EU member state competent authorities, it must have legalization or Apostille stamp on it. It must also be translated into Polish or English (if issued in other languages) by certified British or Polish translators);

6. an invitation letter from your host in Poland with a copy of the passport/ID card of the inviting person. Handwritten invitation will cover a single entry visa, if you want to get a multiple entry visa you have to have a formal invitation issued at the municipal office in Poland (Urząd Wojewódzki). If you do not have an invitation letter than you should provide a proof of accommodation such as e.g. hotel reservation;

7. a medical travel insurance (valid throughout the territory of all Schengen countries and cover the entire period of the person's intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage should be EUR 30 000). The applicant should submit a confirmation from the insuring company with information about the name of the insured person, territorial validity of the insurance, exact dates and amount of the coverage.

8. EMPLOYED person should provide recent letter from your employer. The letter should be addressed to the Visa Section of the Polish Embassy.

STUDENTS should provide a letter from the university/school which includes information about the type of your course, school attendance and intended period of leave/holidays taken from school for your journey.

SELF-EMPLOYED should provide evidence of registration of your business in the UK and the letter from your solicitor or accountant.

UNEMPLOYED should bring proof of your entitlement to social benefits;

NOT WORKING persons should bring the letter from your husband's/wife’s employer (proving that he/she is employed), marriage certificate and copy of your husband’s/wife’s passport;

9. Evidence of possession of sufficient financial means e.g. recent bank statements or traveler’s cheques. We do not accept cash or credit card as a proof of your financial means.

VISA IS FREE OF CHARGE.

Additional documents may be requested at any stage of the procedure.

PARTNERS AND SAME SEX MARRIAGES

Please note that the Polish Family Code of 1964 does not recognize same sex marriages and partners. Consequently, same sex marriages and partners are not treated as family members for the purpose of entering Poland. They are required to apply for an entry visa before travelling to Poland as they are not covered by Directive 2004/38/EC.